Groundwater Integration Dialogue #1

Cape Town, South Africa 7-9 May 2013

Representatives of the GEF International Waters portfolio of freshwater projects as well as River Basin Organizations in the African region met in Cape Town to discuss best practices and ways forward for the conjunctive management of surface water and groundwater resources. This was a wonderful opportunity to join forces and strengthen synergies with the NEPAD South African Network of Water Centers of Excellence, in order to explore ways and means to further
enhance capacity development towards water security at all levels, in particular at national, local and regional levels. The spirit of the International Year of Water Cooperation finds its concrete realization when different communities come together to formulate sustainable solutions to common challenges and share new ideas and perspectives.

Agenda, Background Information, List of Participants and FINAL REPORT

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International Year of Water Cooperation 2013

In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154). In refl ection of this declaration, the World Water Day on 22 March 2013 was also dedicated to water cooperation. UN-Water has called upon UNESCO to lead the 2013 United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation, in particular because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication.
Given the intrinsic nature of water as a transversal and universal element, the United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation naturally would embrace and touch upon all these aspects.
The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services. The Year will highlight the history of successful water cooperation initiatives, as well as identify burning issues on water education, water diplomacy, transboundary water management, fi nancing cooperation, national/international legal frameworks, and the linkages with the Millennium Development Goals. www.watercooperation2013.org

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